Automatic switch.



T. E. LEE.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1, 1911.

1,020,147. Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

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WITNESSES: IN V EN TOR.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGIAPM 00.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

T. E. LEE.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1,1911.

1,020, 147. Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

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WITNESSES IN VENTOR. LOW Q Him/2 a,- Thomas Elma.

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OLUMBIA PLANOGRAP" C0,. WASHINGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS E. LEE, OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 LEES RAILWAY SWITCH DEVICE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC SVVI'ICH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

Application filed May 1, 1911. Serial No. 624,377.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. LEE, a citizenof the United States, and a resident of San Diego, in the county of San Diego and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic switches which are operated by the operator from the vehicle, and is more particularly adapted for the larger railway systems as distinguished from street railways.

The objects of my invention are,first, to provide a simple, economical, efficient and easily operated device for moving the switch by the operator from the vehicle; second, to provide a device that is positive in its action, and will not be disturbed by the elements; third, to provide a device in which the switch is operated by the weight of the vehicle, and fourth, to provide a device to operate the switch both when entering the side track from the main line, and passing from the side track to the main line.

With these and other objects in view, as

will appear, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter described and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and t0 the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan View of the track portion of my device shown in connection with a railway switch, Fig. 2 is a plan View of a portion thereof on a larger scale, Fig. 3 is a sectional View through EF in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4: is a sectional view through C-D in v Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a sectional view through A-B in Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a side View in elevation of a portion of an engine showing the vehicle operating portion of the device in connection therewith, and Fig. 7 is a sectional View through G-H in Fig. 6.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views. Referring to the drawings, numeral 1 designates the rails of the main track, 2 the switch points which are of the ordinary type. Slidably mounted between the ties and connected to the switch points 2 is bar 3 which connects with a rocker bar 4 by means of an arm 4 which is rigidly mounted on said rocker bar, and which is pivotally connected at its upward extended end with rod 3, which is pivotally connected to bar 3. Rocker bar t is provided with a plurality of weights 4 which are rigidly at tached to said rocker bar, and tend to rock said bar outwardly from rail 1. These weights are for the purpose of holding the switch points so that the main line will be closed at all times except when said weights are raised. Rocker bar 4- is also provided with a plurality of arms 4 which are normally horizontal, and on the inner ends of a plurality of which is tiltably mounted tilting bar 5, which is provided with weight 5 attached to its outer side, and adapted to tilt said bar 5 outwardly from the rails as shown best in Fig. 5, except when it is pressed against the rails by the mechanism hereinafter described. This bar 5 when pressed against the rails is held with its upper edge above the top of the rail by means of the weights 4:. On the inner ends of the other arms at is rigidly mounted bar 6 which is held with its upper edge above the top of the rail of the side track, by means of weights 1* in the same manner as tilting bar 5 is held, and moves vertically, simultaneously with said bar 5. Upon the side of the tracks opposite to said bars 5 and 6, and facing the switch points is a lever 7 which lies normally along the rail and is curved outwardly at one end toward the vehicle approaching the switch points and is there pivotally mounted at point 7. To this lever 7 is pivotally connected bar 8 which extends across the tracks and past bar 5 where it is bent upwardly at right angles, and is adapted to press bar 5 against the rail 1 upon the outward movement of lever 7. This bar 8 is connected at its outwardly extended end to crank 9 which is pivotally mounted and which is provided on its other end with a weighted lever 10, which said weighted lever is adapted to hold the bar 8 in the position as shown best in Fig. 2, at all times except when operated upon by lever 7.

Upon the front end of the vehicle upon the beam is mounted a horizontal bar 12 which is slidably mounted in support 11". To the extended end of the lever 12 is pivotally connected one member of bell-crank 13. To the other member of said bell-crank is connected vertical bar 14 supported bysupports 15. Upon the lower end of said bar 14 is provided a wedge shaped shoe 17. This wedge shaped shoe 17 is adapted to be raised and lowered by means of bar 12, bell-crank 13 and bar 14. One member of bell-crank 13 is provided with a tension spring 16 which is adapted to hold bar 14 together with shoe 17 up out of engagement with the rail, except when thrust downward by the operator. Bar 14 is provided with a link 14 to allow the vertical reciprocation of said rod 14, and when in its lowered position as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, it is adapted to thrust bar 7 outwardly away from rail 1, by wedging between the two, which thrusts bar 8 outwardly which raises weight 10, and thereby presses bar 5 against the track 1 on the opposite side, whereupon the wheels ride upon bar 5, and press it downwardly flush with the top of the rail, thereby tilting rocking bar 4 and raising the weights 4, which closes the switch points 2 by means of bar 3, and the vehicle takes the side track, the bars 5 and 6 holding the switch in its closed position as long as the weight of a vehicle remains on either or both of said bars 5 and 6. If it is desired to pass from the side track on to the main line, the vehicle rides upon bar 6, pressing it downward, which opens the switch as before described.

Though I. have shown and described a particular construction and arrangement of parts, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction and arrangement, but desire to include in the purview of my invention the construction substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the character described,

thecombination with a traveling vehicle of a shoe, means for raising and lowering said shoe, a curved lever pivotally mounted near one rail of the track adapted to be operated by said shoe in connection with said rail, a bar tiltably mounted near the other rail, means connected to said lever adapted for tilting said bar against said rail; automatic means for releasing said bar, and means adapted to hold saidbar above said rail, and to operate a railway switch, all substantially as set forth.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a traveling vehicle of a shoe, means for raising and lowering said shoe, a curved lever pivotally mounted near one rail of the track adapted to be operated by said shoe in connection with said rail, a bar tiltably mounted near the opposite rail thereof, means connected to said lever adapted to tilt said bar against said opposite rail, means for releasing said bar, means adapted to hold said bar above said rail, and to operate a railway switch, and another bar in connection with said track adapted to be held above the rail by the means before mentioned, all substantially as set forth.

3. In a device of the character-described,

the combination with a traveling vehicle of an inclined shoe adapted to operate a lever in connection with a railway rail, means for raising and lowering said shoe, a lever pivotally mounted near one rail in the track adapted to be operated by said shoe inconnectio-n with-said rail, a bar tiltably mounted near the opposite railthereof, means con-. nee-ted to said lever adapted for tilting said bar against said opposite rail, means for releasing said bar, means adapted to hold said bar above said rail, and a gravity actuated means for operating said last mentioned bar and to operate a railway switch, all substantially as set forth.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a railway train of a bar slidably mounted on the front end thereof, a bell-crank connected thereto, a vertical bar connected to said bell-crank on the said vehicle, an inclined member mounted on the lower extended end of said vertical bar, a means pivotally mounted outside of one of the rails provided with a curved surface near one end, and adapted to be shifted sidewise to and from said rail, a gravity actuatedmeans connected thereto and eX- tending across said track and adapted to operate a tiltably mounted bar on the other side of said track, a gravity actuated bar pivotally mounted on the opposite side of said track, means in connection with said gravity actuated bar for facilitating the raisingand lowering of said tilting bar, and a means in connection with said gravity actuated bar for shifting the switch points in a railway track, all substantially as set forth.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a railway train of a bar slidably mounted on the front end thereof, a bell-crank connected thereto, a vertical bar connected to said bell-crank and slidably mounted on said vehicle, an inclined member mounted onthe lower extended end of said vertical bar, means pivotally mounted outside of one of the rails of the track provided with a curved surface near its one end, and adapted to be shifted sidewise to and from said rail, a gravity actuated means connected thereto and extending across said track and adapted to operate a tiltably mounted bar on the other side of said track, a gravity actuated bar pivotally mounted on said opposite side of said track, means in connection with said gravity actuated bar for facilitating the raising and lowering of said tilting bar, means in connection with said gravity actuated bar for shifting the subscribed my name in the presence of two switch points in a railway track, and ansubscribing Witnesses. other bar in connection with said track mounted on said gravity actuated bar and THOMAS adapted to be raised thereby, all substan- Witnesses: tially as set forth. ABRAM B. BOWMAN,

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto ELMER E. RODABAUGH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

